Pyramids of Meroë

Pyramids of Meroë
The Pyramids of Meroë are a large number of Nubian pyramids, encompassing three cemeteries near the ancient city of Meroë. The Meroë pyramids date to the later stage of the Kingdom of Kush (3rd century BCE–4th century CE) and were burial places for Kushite monarchs, other members of the royal family, and important officials and dignitaries.
The three cemeteries collectively encompass over a thousand graves, out of which at least 147 were pyramids. The majority of the pyramids (at least 82) are from the southern cemetery and were not burials of royals.
On 8 September 2020, the pyramids were threatened for the first time by floods.
Pyramids and burials
Securely identified pyramids are marked with bold text.
Southern cemetery
The southern cemetery was used for royal Kushite burials for the first two or three generations in the Meroitic period (270 BCE onwards). The southern cemetery includes 220 burials, at least 90 of which had superstructures. Of these 90, at least 24 were pyramids. The tombs in this cemetery have been heavily pillaged.
Beg. S 4 – Queen (non-ruling) Kanarta
Beg. S 5 – King Amanislo
Beg. S 6 – King Arakamani
Beg. S 10 – Queen (non-ruling) Bartare (a.k.a. Karatari)
Beg. S 503 – Queen (non-ruling) Khennuwa
Northern cemetery
After briefly using the southern cemetery, the northern cemetery became the main site for royal burials. The northern cemetery contains 41 known pyramids, from 30 kings, eight queens regnant, and three other individuals (crown princes?).
Beg. N 1 – Queen Amanitore
Beg. N 2 – Unidentified king, perhaps King Amanikhabale
Beg. N 3
Beg. N 4 – King Amantekha
Beg. N 5 – Unidentified, perhaps Prince Arikhankharer
Beg. N 6 – Queen Amanishakheto
Beg. N 7 – King Arqamani
Beg. N 8 – King (...)mr(...)t, perhaps identical with Adikhalamani
Beg. N 9 – King Tabirqo, perhaps identical with Adikhalamani
Beg. N 10 – Unidentified king, unused tomb
Beg. N 11 – Unidentified queen regnant, perhaps Queen Nahirqo. The largest pyramid in the northern cemetery.
Beg. N 12 – Unidentified king, perhaps King Tanyidamani
Beg. N 13 – Unidentified king, likely King Naqyrinsan
Beg. N 14 – Unidentified and destroyed, perhaps an unidentified king.
Beg. N 15 – Unidentified and destroyed, perhaps an unidentified ruler.
Beg. N 16 – Unidentified king; this pyramid was rebuilt at a later time. Perhaps King Amanikhareqerem (original) and King Aryesbokhe (rebuilt).
Beg. N 17 – King Amanitenmemide
Beg. N 18 – Queen Amanikhatashan
Beg. N 19 – King Tarekeniwal
Beg. N 20 – Unidentified king with the Horus name k3-nht, perhaps King Teriteqas
Beg. N 21 – Unidentified ruler, perhaps Queen Shanakdakhete
Beg. N 22 – King Natakamani
Beg. N 24 – Unidentified, perhaps an unidentified king.
Beg. N 25 – Unidentified queen regnant, perhaps Queen Amanipilade
Beg. N 26 – Unidentified queen regnant, perhaps Queen Patrapeamani
Beg. N 27 – Unidentified king, perhaps King Tamelerdeamani
Beg. N 28 – King Teqorideamani
Beg. N 29 – King Takedeamani
Beg. N 30 – Unidentified, perhaps an unidentified king.
Beg. N 32 – Unidentified queen regnant, perhaps Queen Amanikhalika
Beg. N 34 – Unidentified king, perhaps King Aritenyesbokhe
Beg. N 35 – Unidentified, perhaps an unidentified king
Beg. N 36 – Unidentified king, perhaps King Amanitaraqide
Beg. N 37 – Unidentified king, perhaps King (.)p(...)niñ
Beg. N 38 – Unidentified king, perhaps King (...)k(...)
Beg. N 40 – Unidentified, perhaps an unidentified king.
Beg. N 41 – Unidentified, perhaps an unidentified king.
Beg. N 43 – Unidentified king, perhaps King Amanikhedolo
Beg. N 51 – Unidentified king, perhaps King Yesebokheamani
Beg. N 53 – Unidentified king, perhaps King Arnekhamani
Beg. N 56 – Unidentified, perhaps Prince Arikakahtani
Treasures and artifacts of the North Cemetery
Numerous treasures were discovered in the pyramids since the 19th century.
Western cemetery
The western cemetery saw the longest continuous use, with burials dating back to the 9th century BCE. The western cemetery contains no burials of monarchs and was instead used by non-royal elites. There are over 800 graves in the western cemetery, out of which at least 82 were pyramids.
Beg. W 19 – Prince Tedeqen
See also
List of monarchs of Kush
El-Kurru pyramids
Jebel Barkal pyramids
Sedeinga pyramids
Nuri pyramids
References
Citations
Bibliography
Archaeological sites in Sudan
Pyramids in Sudan
Kingdom of Kush